Bays, Trojans advance to district championship

BRIMLEY — The top two teams in the Eastern U.P. Conference will meet again.

Cedarville and Brimley advanced as both favorites won their Class D district boys basketball openers Wednesday night at the Karl Parker Gym.

Brimley dispatched Pickford 64-43 in the first game, while Cedarville knocked out DeTour 71-52 in the second game.

Brimley (18-3) will face Cedarville (20-1) in the district championship game at 7 p.m. Friday.

Dan Lothrop piled up a double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds for the Bays in their win over the Panthers. The Bays were an efficient 16-of-22 from the free throw line, led by Lothrop's 12-of-13 effort.

Cedarville 71, DeTour 52: The Trojans struggled at the start with their shooting, but took control with their defense Wednesday night.

Leading just 15-14 after the opening quarter, the Trojans started the second quarter with a 12-1 run. Cedarville's defensive intensity repeatedly forced the Raiders into turnovers, which generated points off the Trojans' fast break.

The Trojans led 41-25 at halftime, and did not let the Raiders back within single digits the rest of the way.

"We came out hard, and had some good looks at the basket early on," DeTour coach John Fountain said. "Whatever happened, we got away from that in the second quarter and took too many shots from the perimeter. Cedarville took their level up a notch and we just didn't match their intensity."